On February 12, 1947 a blazing fireball estimated to mass 70 to 100 tons exploded 3.6 miles above the Sikhote-Alin Mountains north of Vladivostok, Russia. When the main detonation occurred, Sikhote-Alin had already shed most, if not all, of its cosmic velocity.

As a result of this late detonation, many of the resulting fragments were not traveling fast enough for atmospheric friction to cause additional ablation and Sikhote-Alin specimens can be found in two distinct forms: the traditional iron meteorite with smooth surfaces and regmaglypts, and a shrapnel form that demonstrates the explosive tearing and shearing forces encountered as the iron bolide shattered at low altitude.

Sikhote-Alin specimens are currently available in many forms and exotic shapes that illustrate the classic characteristics of this unusual and important meteorite.

Back to Iron Meteorite Descriptions

Back to Iron Meteorite Photos

Back to Meteorite Photo Gallery